Crocker Farm Parent Guardian Organization: Supporting our children, teachers, and the Crocker Farm community through family events & activities, and through fundraising for field trips, classroom mini-grants, and more.

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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Wednesday, March 3rd- Last Wednesday Club of the session; Coffee orders due!Friday, March 5th- Coffee with the Principal. Special guest: Our very own Mr. SmithThursday, March 11th- PGO Meeting 6:30 – 7:30 PM Monday, March 15th - Teacher Workday - No SchoolFriday, March 19th- Dance for the Playground Dance-A-Thon 6PMTuesday, March 23rd- Amherst Town Elections (Vote!) and the Election Day Bake Sale!

Sandra Guiteau's 6th grade class stepped up and is now doing the container recycling in addition to paper recycling!!

Some 5th graders stepped up and are now setting up the Compost/Recycling board and buckets at the beginning of lunch!!

***OUR ON-SITE, ANIMAL PROOF COMPOSTING STRUCTURE IS COMPLETE!***

Thank you to Dick Kicza, from Kicza Lumber in Hadley, for donating lumber and Peter Jessop, owner of Integrity Development and Construction in Amherst, for donating the time/resources of one of his builders, Bert Hickey.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Wednesday, March 3rd- Last Wednesday Club of the sessionFriday, March 5th- Coffee with the Principal. Special guest: Our very own Mr. Smith will discuss anti-bullying measures at CF.Thursday, March 11th- PGO Meeting 6:30 – 7:30 PM Monday, March 15th- Teacher Workday - No SchoolFriday, March 19th- Dance for the Playground Dance-a-Thon 6PMTuesday, March 23rd- Amherst Town Elections and the CF Election Day Bake Sale

Join the PGO tomorrow night rain or snow at 6PM for this month's edition of Movie Night featuring the very lovable Shrek! We will be collecting non-perishables for the Survival Center. We hope to see you there!

Monday, February 22, 2010

In case you missed Thursday's article in the Daily Hampshire Gazette...

Playground eyed for Crocker Farm School in Amherstby Nick Grabbe

AMHERST - Crocker Farm School, which has far more children from low-income families than Amherst's other elementary schools, also has the oldest and most run-down playground.

But by next fall, when many children will switch schools as the town takes action to achieve income equity in enrollment, Crocker Farm hopes to have a new playground.

The Parents and Guardians Organization aims to raise $40,000 for the equipment and get parents from throughout the school district involved in building the playground in July.

"A playground is a really important social piece in a school," said Becky Demling, the PGO co-chair. "Studies show that exercise helps children focus better, and for some, school is the only place they get exercise. A lot of friendships are made on playgrounds."

The current playground at Crocker Farm is 20 years old, has pieces missing and the safety railing on a slide is held together with duct tape, she said. The new one will be closer to the soccer fields.

The new playground will include slides, ladders and swings, said Lucy McMurrer, the other PGO co-chair. A climbing structure and slide from Mark's Meadow School, which is closing this year, will be incorporated into the new playground.

Some parents whose children will be moving to Crocker Farm have expressed worry that the play space is inadequate, Demling said. "It's important with redistricted schools to have as equal play spaces as possible," she said.

Parents from Wildwood and Fort River schools have had better success in finding the resources to update their playgrounds over the last 10 years, Demling noted. "Crocker Farm has more of a challenge in raising money," she said.

The new Crocker Farm playground is expected to be smaller than those at the other schools.

Demling and McMurrer have contacted their counterparts at other schools in Amherst, including the regional schools. "We want to see how we as a community can help build the Crocker Farm playground," Demling said.

The PGO has already raised $5,000 through a parent appeal and from sales of the Amherstopoly board game, McMurrer said. They are working on a fundraising letter to local business owners.

On March 19, there will be a "dance-a-thon" at the Crocker Farm cafeteria from 6 to 8:30 p.m., with children encouraged to get sponsorships. A silent auction that will benefit the playground project is planned for April.

Contributions can be sent to Crocker Farm Playground, 280 West St., Amherst, MA. 01002. Those seeking tax deductions can go to the Web site amhersteducationfoundation.org.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Lucy’s approach to Kids Yoga is engaging, lively, playful and fun while also emphasizing the union of body, mind and breath. Kids learn yoga postures, work in partners, play games and move to music. Kids gain a solid foundation in yoga, learn basic anatomy, physiology, and mindfulness practices.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Thanks to all of those who contributed to the Playground Brown Envelope Ask, we are able to buy the first piece of equipment-

The XWave 2 See Saw.

This exciting piece accommodates one to eighteen children moves up and down in a wave motion.

This with the two Mark’s Meadow pieces is a great step forward in our playground rebuilding.It is never too late to make a donation- simply send in your brown envelope or donate online at www.amhersteducationfoundation.org specifying CF PGO as the recipient.

Tier 1: is well underway! We need approximately $15,500 and we have raised $5200 thus far!

X-wave- $5,000- Purchased!

Maypole- $1,951

Surfers- $688

Swings- $1,404

Equipment cost: $10,043

Installation Cost: $6,500 (pieces plus initial installation fee)

Want to get involved in the Playground effort?Contact the PGO at crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Parents and guardians of current 6th Grade students should plan to visit to the middle school on Wednesday, February 24th from 7 to 8:30pm for 6th Grade Orientation.

This is an adult only introduction to the Amherst Regional Middle School. The evening is an opportunity to learn about the registration process, the 7th grade curriculum, elective classes, and supports available for students. Discover teams, advisory, clubs and the Family School Partnership. Find the answers to your questions.

We hope that every parent/guardian will be able to attend this important 6th Grade Parent/Guardian Orientation Night at ARMS.

Due to the pending storm, the Amherst-Pelham Regional Middle and High Schools will be dismissed at 12:30 today, February 10, 2010. The Amherst and Pelham Elementary schools will be dismissed at the regular Wednesday time.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Please join us at The Pub this Monday night for CF Neighborhood Night! All you have to do is enjoy an evening eating out with friends from the CF community. Simply tell your server that you are there to support Crocker Farm and The Pub will donate 20% of your bill back to the PGO for our playground fund! Anyone can come- the more the merrier! Questions? Contact the PGO at crockerfarmpgo@gmail.com. Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Crocker Farm Elementary School is looking for volunteers to assist and monitor our Compost/Recycling Program

Our community of Crocker Farm Elementary School which houses Pre-K through 6th grade has been composting and recycling our breakfast and lunch for the last two years. We are looking for volunteers to guide and assist students during breakfast and lunch. For breakfast, it will be for about 45 minutes (around 8:15-9:00). For lunch, we are in need of help during last lunch (12:30-1:15). Please contact mastroiannir@arps.org so we can talk about your interest and availability. Thank you!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Come join our very own Mr. Morris to talk about Crocker Farm thoughts, ideas, and questions at the Coffee with the Principal on Friday at 8:30. We'll be in the Community Room with muffins, coffee, and the principal! As always, children are welcome. See you there!